Here is a question I am sure everyone has had to ask themselves. I have many times with other ventures but am new in recent years to the atv scene. I just bought 2 new Raptors and it is time to shop for exhaust, intake and sand wheels and tires. I live in the Portland/Vancouver area. I know there is a lot more available through the magazines but there is also something to be said for local customer service. Any suggestions on the best mail order or know of good local suppliers? Any advice appreciated. Thanks, Rick.

 

As you said, "there is something to said for local customer service". Take the example of local automotive speedshops. Most have went out of business due to the prices of mail-order magazines. The mail-order can sell parts at the same cost these speedshops bought them at. So many people buy parts (me included) from the mail order because of price. The problems is: If its Friday night and you have a big race tommorrow and are running just a little lean due to a sudden drop in temp and have lost your extra jets, that mail order mag can't have the jets you need to you in time. Same thing for a gasket kit or pushrod because you bent on Thursday night test and tune. If you are running for a $5000 to win in KOTS and can't run because of a bent pushrod that you couldn't get in the mail in time, that $10 you saved when you bought that intake, muffler, carb or other part that you passed up your local dealer on doesn't seem like such a great savings does it?

I would hate to see this happen to the ATV industry. I don't know if it will happen anytime soon because most of these dealers sell the bike to start with so people go back there for parts. But I would hate to plan a big ride and while servicing my bike the night before and find my bearings, chain, etc is worn out and not be able to drop by my local dealer and pick these parts up.

 

i try to buy from my locals, but they never have the parts i need anyways. and they are A LOT more pricy. i priced razr2's with them, and it was 140$ PER TIRE!!! it took them 7 weeks to get a stock radiator in where i could have gotten an after market one for the same price in 2 weeks. (i wasnt paying for it it was warrenty work but i priced the radiator) i would love to buy from my local guy, but he just sucks at his job so bad. every time i order something from them it comes in wrong, and i even take them to the showroom model Z and point it out and it still takes 2 or 3 times to get the part in. maybe other people have better dealers but if there anything like mine i would go with mail order.

 

For wheels and clothing accessories i have gone with Rocky Mountain ATV. Good prices and cheap shipping. Take a look at theyre online catalog and/or have them mail you one. You can find filters, pipes, you name it, they have it. I recommend a k&n filter, fmf titanium 4 exhaust, and haulers. Take a look at a Dirtwheels, ATV Sport, or ATV Action mag and look at what other shops have to offer for your quad.

 

Denniskirk.com has the most products I have seen for all powersports and the prices are usually a little lower than other sites. However, I always call my local dealers and shops first to get a price quote. Support your local economy even if it means spending the extra 24 cents on a spark plug!!!!

 

Buy local. That way you can pay cash and don't have to leave an electronic record trail for the wife to uncover your out-of-control toy spending habbits. See what I am saying?

 

LOL....I know exactly what you mean. If the price difference is not HUGE, and is in stock locally, I buy locally primarily for the convenience. When buying on line I like too go with www.rockymountainatv.com or www.moto-man.com .

 

DENNIS KIRK all the way there shipping is the fastest and cheapest. And they beat anyones price by a dollar only on tires, ehaust, helments and some other things. phone # is 800-328-9280 and open 24 hours 7 days aweek. call them its free to call and ask questions it does hurt to try. also they have free catalogs that are huge.

 

I would definitely recommend rocky mountain atv over dennis kirk. Dennis Kirk always seems a little more pricey, ie: lt250r delta 2 reeds, $142 in Dennis Kirk, and $128 in Rocky Mountain ATV. However, orders over $100 from Dennis Kirk ship for free, but the savings is usually higher than the shipping anyway. Just my two cents.

 

well here it is i own a store and also run an ad in dirtwheels.like every store owner i want to make money and stay in bussiness.some things i can sell for a killer price and some i dont get such a great deal on.factory parts always take longer than aftermarket, cant change that. if the book says 100.00 than we ask 100.00 but if the person says i can get that from here for 75.00 and i only pay 60.00 than i would be a dumba$$ for not making a sale for 15.00 and letting the person go somewhere else. i'm a working person and i do work hard for my money and i also want it to go as far as i can make it.always give the local a chance to make a sale but if he cant make it call atleast 3 other places and get the lowest to your door price.